15 Days Icons of New Zealand

Every last detail required for guest comfort has been carefully considered, from the finest monogrammed bed linen, and feather pillows, to the freshly baked biscuits.

French doors open onto the wooden terrace beyond and all 18 Junior Lodge Suites face the hypnotic deep turquoise green waters of the Waikato River. Its long journey from Lake Taupo takes it flowing past Huka Lodge to the full force of the famous Huka Falls beyond and then on to the sea.

The bathrooms offer every indulgence as well as being spacious and light, with the most decadent deep bath, thirsty towels, heated floors, and twin basins. Dressing rooms are both large and generous in proportion.

The Lodge Suite consists of light, spacious, comfortable rooms. One with a super-king size bed, which can also be reconfigured into twin beds, and lounge area with writing desk. There is also a large walk-through dressing room as well as a beautifully detailed en suite bathroom including bath, shower, twin basins and under-floor heating. Mini-bar, with tea and coffee facilities is also available.

Another connecting room offers a well-appointed lounge, with dining area. This features a cosy gas fireplace and boasts the same style of en suite bathroom as its companion room.

Both rooms comprising the suite enjoy French doors that open out to an outdoor wooden terrace that spans the front of each room. From here, guests enjoy views across the lawn to the deep turquoise green, hypnotic waters of the beautiful Waikato River.

The Lodge Suite is surrounded on three sides by natural bush and manicured gardens, with the river beyond. It also works really well for families travelling together – the second bedroom can readily be configured for two younger family members to share with single beds and their own bathroom.

Four superbly decorated spacious en suite guest rooms are anchored by a central living room, dining area, kitchen and den. The colour palette is deliberately muted with elegant use of soft cream and caramel hues for the walls and bleached oak wooden parquet floors throughout. This all contributes to an ambience of calm restful relaxation within the Cottage.

The en suite rooms all have super-king size beds, comfortable chairs for lounging and the romance of a fireplace in your bedroom. Two of the guest suites face the river while the other two enjoy a beautiful private courtyard garden aspect. These gardens also feature one of the magnificent outdoor fireplaces that can be found tucked away within the environs of Huka Lodge.

The bathrooms are beautifully appointed with twin basins, deep baths, separate showers and heated towel rails. The cathedral-style ceilings bathe the rooms in a high level of natural light. The floors are made from wood and all enjoy under-floor heating. Large and generous walk-through dressing rooms are adjacent to all of the bathrooms.

The Den has a workstation, computer, plasma screen television and DVD player, extremely comfortable leather chairs and a cosy fireplace complete the picture. A laundry service is also available with the Cottage.

A well-equipped kitchen is set up for use by guests or a personal chef, with butler service also available if required. Guests may choose to stay in or to wander over to the main Lodge and dine there.

A large outdoor deck extends in a continuous line from the living room until it meets the amazing cantilevered infinity pool. The grounds within the Owner’s Cottage also feature a heated spa pool, outdoor furniture suitable for dining, sunbathing, reading or a quiet nap.

Alan Pye Cottage takes every advantage of a superb location and sits above lush rolling green lawns and manicured gardens on the banks of the Waikato River, where the powerful and hypnotic turquoise green waters surge downstream on their way to the Huka Falls. Whilst spacious and faultlessly generous in execution, the Alan Pye Cottage boasts a cosy and intimate atmosphere due largely to an extraordinary level of attention to detail, combined with a deliberately eclectic style of furnishing and interior decoration. Rustic antiques overlay with museum-quality Maori antiquities, wonderful paintings and textiles rich in texture, with the colour palette drawing together stunning combinations of deep teal, lime and turquoise for moments of bold punctuation.

A magnificent open plan living room, with an open fireplace features a very high ceiling, and dining to take place as well as relaxing. This room offers decadently comfortable furniture and everything guests will need to feel this is a true ‘home away from home’. Floor-to-ceiling opening doors feature on both sides of the room – facing the river and the infinity style swimming pool on one side and the enclosed courtyard garden and outdoor pavilion, on the other.

The Cottage boasts two large and stylishly appointed suites, with individual fireplaces, en suite bathrooms and generous walk-through dressing rooms. Both suites are superbly decorated and offer a highly considered level of comfort.

The bathrooms are beautifully appointed with twin basins, deep baths, separate showers and heated towel rails. The floors are made from limestone and all enjoy under floor heating. Large and generous walk-through dressing rooms are adjacent to all of the bathrooms.

A well-equipped kitchen is set up for a personal chef – guests may choose to stay in or to stroll over to the main Lodge and dine there.

A study is tucked away with desk, plasma flat-screen television and sound system. This room also has its own separate bathroom and can be readily converted into a single room, should it be required to accommodate an accompanying party.

A heated infinity-style swimming pool and a separate private spa pool have been integrated into the outdoor landscape. There is also a fabulous stone outdoor pavilion within a private courtyard garden, featuring a magnificent fireplace.

Indulge in the luxury and comfort of Wharekauhau’s cottage suites high above the thunderous surf of Palliser Bay. Whilst taking in the dramatic vistas, guests are able to relax in absolute bliss and forget the outside world. Be at one with nature amongst the sheep that dot the pastures and enjoy deep sofas, fluffy pillows, heated marbled floors, and homemade cookies are just a few of the luxuries that are associated with the16 Cottage Suites. Each cottage suite features a super king-sized bed or two twin beds, open gas fireplace, under floor heating, heated marble floor in bathroom, heated towel rail and a minibar.

The Foley Villa is a world-class, 4,500 square foot, hideaway that offers guest the best of both worlds, complete privacy, and independence, as well as access to all of the Wharekauhau amenities. The villa is located a short stroll from the main lodge with stunning views over the dramatic Palliser Bay. Built to make a statement, and yet it sits as an elegant stand-alone property framed by backdrop of the Remutaka mountains. The 3.5 bedroom cottage is split between two levels, joined by an Oamaru sandstone staircase. All three guest rooms have stunning views across Palliser Bay, and are filled with natural light; however the downstairs master guest room also opens out onto a private paved courtyard.

Private pool, chefs kitchen, great room, and full security gates

Each room in the Main Lodge has a unique atmosphere, from large open lounges to smaller intimate areas such as the Palliser Room or Drawing Room. The antique furniture and oversized fireplaces throughout the lodge capture the grandeur of yesteryear. At the heart of it all is the Main Lounge, grand in design while remaining intimate. Slide into an inviting sofa or armchair, take a moment to relax or escaping into a good book. The elegant Dining Room flows through to the impressive Country Kitchen and conservatory where large marble benches and an open kitchen offer guests the chance to discuss the chefs’ secrets of the kitchen.

Resplendent is polished wood and fine fabrics, the Lodge Rooms offer sweeping views across the lake towards the Greenstone Valley and it’s surrounding peaks. The lakeside Lodge Rooms each feature a private balcony or terrace, super king size bed, sitting area and armoire. The en suite bathrooms are lavishly appointed with granite topped double vanities, separate shower and bathtub.

Luxuriate in the sumptuous splendor of the Lodge Suites. The three gracious 700 square foot suites feature an additional 400 square foot private balcony, as well as stone fireplaces, walk-in closets and spacious bathrooms with separate steam showers and bathtubs.

The Chalets Suites reflect New Zealand colonial architecture and complement the main lodge with the use of schist stone and old steamer wharf timber beams.

The Chalet Staterooms offer an ideal luxury retreat. Each Chalet Suite can be combined with an additional spacious living room to create the 1400 square foot stateroom.